Details of Chuck Berry's final album revealed

Details of Chuck Berry’s final album have been announced, with the record, entitled Chuck, due for release via Dualtone/Decca on June 16.

The 10-track album constitutes the first new recordings in nearly 40 years from the legendary rock’n’roll artist, who passed away on March 18 aged 90. Bruce Springsteen and Brian Wilson were among the many artists to pay tribute.

Chuck is Berry’s first new album since 1979’s Rock It. It was recorded and produced by Berry in various studios around St. Louis and features the longtime hometown backing group that includes his children Charles Berry Jr. (guitar) and Ingrid Berry (harmonica, vocals), plus bassist Jimmy Marsala, pianist Robert Lohr and drummer Keith Robinson. The album also includes guest performances from Gary Clark Jr., Tom Morello, Nathaniel Rateliff and Berry’s grandson Charles Berry III. Author and historian Douglas Brinkley contributes liner notes.

Some of the material included was originally conceived in the 1980s, with Berry developing the songs in his home studio between tours. He worked on the album through 2014. When health concerns forced him to stop touring and recording in 2015, Berry continued to oversee production and planning, enlisting his family and close friend Joe Edwards, who owns famed St. Louis venue Blueberry Hill.

A statement from the musician’s family reads: “Working to prepare the release of this record in recent months and in fact over the last several years brought him a great sense of joy and satisfaction. While our hearts are very heavy at this time, we know that he had no greater wish than to see this album released to the world, and we know of no better way to celebrate and remember his 90 years of life than through his music.”